Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe Takes Over As Acting President

New Delhi: As Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, on Wednesday, took over as acting president of the country.

According to a Reuters report, Wickremesinghe's media secretary, Dinouk Colombage said that the Prime Minister as acting president has declared a state of emergency in the country and also imposed a curfew in the western province.

Meanwhile, the protestors have been demanding the resignation of Wickremesinghe. The protesters broke the security of the PM's residence and entered inside.

Earlier in the day, Rajapaksa left the country and went to the Maldives where he was by speaker Mohamed Nasheed.

As per media reports, both President Rajapaksa and his wife, who arrived in the Maldives, were taken to an undisclosed location under police escort.

The reports also said that Wickremesinghe has himself announced his willingness to resign if consensus is reached on forming a unity government.

As per the Reuters report, the presidential succession process could take between three days -- the minimum time needed for parliament to elect an MP to serve out Rajapaksa's term, which ends in November 2024 -- and a maximum of 30 days allowed under the statute.

The deteriorating economic situation in Sri Lanka has increased tensions. In the last few weeks, there have been reports of numerous clashes between individuals and members of the police force and the armed forces at the fuel stations.

The country is facing its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948.

Also read: Emergency Declared In Sri Lanka After Prez Rajapaksa Flees To Maldives With His Wife

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